Sponsorships, Donations & Grants

Introduction

Northwestern Medicine provides financial support to designated nonprofit organizations and governmental and public entities that are working to address identified community health priorities. Two types of financial support may be requested:

  • Community sponsorship and donation requests are considered on a rolling basis. Donation requests are considered in amounts up to $9,999.
  • Grant awards need to be requested within a specific timeframe. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.

Organizations are encouraged to apply for either type of funding, but they are only eligible to receive one grant or one community donation per calendar year. Applicants should bundle their needs and request sufficient funds for the year. Multiple applications from one organization in a calendar year will not be considered unless the previous applications were denied, and the new application is sufficiently different to better align with required criteria. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Community-based organization with a 501(c)(3) federal designation; or an organization with fiscal agent oversight by an established community-based organization with such designation; or a school/government agency.
  • Located in, and primarily serving, residents of one of NM’s community service areas. NM community service areas include the following counties (in whole or in part): Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will)
  • The program for which you seek funding must address an identified community health need (example: Access to Healthcare, Chronic Disease, Social Determinants of Health, Mental Health, etc.). Click here for a complete list of priority health needs for each hospital.
  • For award recipients of more than $250: Ability and commitment to submit two Stewardship Reports meeting NM requirement: (1) A progress report on/by December 1 and (2) A final report upon expenditure of funds or on/by the following August 31.

Sponsorships and Community Donations

Northwestern Medicine provides financial support throughout the year in two ways.
  • Sponsorships are funds Northwestern Medicine may provide to an organization in exchange for promotional benefits, such as recognition or awareness.
  • Donations are gifts Northwestern Medicine may award to a charitable community group or program to address needs in the community. Donations are awarded to designated nonprofit organizations, and governmental and public entities that are working to address identified community health priorities. We typically fulfill requests that we believe will make the greatest impact on the health and well-being of communities. In your request, please describe your organization’s overall mission and vision as it relates to community health and how funding support from Northwestern Medicine will help you achieve success.
  • Donation Award Details
  • Application Process
  • Donation requests should not exceed $9,999.
  • Donations for projects completed by the same organization may not be awarded year after year.
  • Donations are one-time awards supporting projects that will be completed within the year.
  • Donations for projects completed by the same organization may not be awarded year after year.
  • Sponsorship requests will be reviewed by a committee and you will be notified of the decision within 30 days.
  • The process can take an average of 45-60 days. If you have a strict timeline, please be sure to submit your application as soon as possible.
  • If funding is approved, a check for the approved donation will be issued to the address provided.
Apply for a Sponsorship or Donation
Young black men drumming

Award Spotlight

Kelly Hall YMCA in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood is using community-giving grant funding to kick start programs for behavioral health, chronic disease prevention and nutrition.

KELLY HALL YMCA

Grants

Northwestern Medicine (NM) is committed to improving the health of the communities we serve. Through the NM Community Benefit Grant Program, NM invests in our communities by providing direct support to local health care providers, social service agencies and other community organizations.
Accepting Applications: February 1 – 29
Applications Due: February 29, by 5 pm
Award Announcements: June 1 – 7

Meeting requests to discuss the grant proposals will not be accommodated. All materials and instructions have been provided on this site.
  • Award Details
  • Application Process
  • Grant requests should start at $10,000 and not exceed $50,000.
  • If funding is approved, a check for the approved donation will be issued to the address provided.
  • A formal grant agreement will be drawn up.
  • Award announcements will be made June 1-7.
  • Only one grant submission per organization, per year will be considered.
  • Download the application checklist.
  • Complete the Project and Budget Narrative questions in a separate document.
  • Assemble ALL checklist items.

Thank you for your interest in Northwestern Medicine's Community Grants. The application period for grants for 2024 is now closed. If you have questions, please contact ContactCommunity@nm.org.

Award Recipients

Award recipients of more than $250 must complete this form twice:

  • Once as a progress report on/by Dec. 1.
  • A second time as a final report upon expenditure of grant funds on/by the following August 31.

Complete Stewardship Report

Contact

For questions about Grants and Community Donations:
ContactCommunity@nm.org

Note: Northwestern Medicine provides grant funding at its sole discretion and is under no obligation to award or provide financial assistance to any or all of the applications received (regardless of whether the agency has been supported in the past). All decisions and determinations regarding this program are solely reserved to that of Northwestern Medicine.